Method and apparatus for ordering of protocol data unit delivery

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for ordering of protocol data unit delivery are disclosed. According to embodiments, the mitigation of the head-of-the-line blocking is provided by associating an indicator with each of the PDCP packets, which can provide for differentiation of the PDCP packets relating to delivery requirements and/or transmission flows.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for ordering protocol data unit (PDU) delivery, the method comprising:
 inserting, at a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer in a transmitter, an identifier indicative of out of order delivery into the PDU and   transmitting the PDU by the transmitter.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the identifier is inserted into a header of the PDU. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the identifier is a flow identifier (flow ID). 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein each flow ID has an associated set of sequence numbers. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein one flow ID is associated with a plurality of flows requiring out-of-order delivery. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 mapping the PDU for delivery to at least one particular data radio bearer (DRB), wherein the at least one particular radio bearer is determined at least in part based on the flow ID.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the PDU is an uplink packet and wherein mapping the uplink packet for delivery is at least in part dependent on a known mapping of a downlink packet. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the PDU is a downlink packet and wherein mapping the downlink packet for delivery is at least in part dependent on a known mapping of an uplink packet. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the identifier is a sequence number, wherein a first set of sequence numbers are indicative of in-order delivery and a second set of sequence numbers are indicative of out-of-order delivery. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
 inserting, at the PDCP layer of the transmitter, a sequence number into the PDU for delivery, wherein the sequence number is dependent on the identifier.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for ordering protocol data unit (PDU) delivery, the apparatus comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory for storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the UE to be configured to:   insert an identifier indicative of out-of-order delivery into the PDU; and   transmit the PDU.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the identifier is inserted into a header of the PDU. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the identifier is a flow identifier (flow ID). 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein each flow ID has an associated set of sequence numbers. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the identifier is a sequence number, wherein a first set of sequence numbers are indicative of in-order delivery and a second set of sequence numbers are indicative of out-of-order delivery. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the instructions when executed by the processor further cause the apparatus to be configured to:
 insert a sequence number into the PDU for delivery, wherein the sequence number is dependent on the identifier.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is a user equipment, a base station or a core network function. 
     
     
         18 . A method for ordering packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) packet delivery, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a receiver, a PDCP packet, wherein the PDCP packet includes an identifier; and   in accordance with a check of the identifier, forwarding the PDCP packet to an upper layer when the identifier is set as not in-order delivery.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the identifier is a flow identifier (flow ID). 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein each flow ID has an associated set of sequence numbers. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for ordering packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) delivery, the apparatus comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory for storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the UE to be configured to:   receive a PDCP packet, wherein the PDCP packet includes an identifier; and   in accordance with a check of the identifier, forward the PDCP packet to an upper layer when the identifier is set as not in-order delivery.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the identifier is a flow identifier (flow ID). 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein each flow ID has an associated set of sequence numbers. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is a user equipment, a base station or a core network function.